by Gary Borek via the FLT email list:
The DEC has confirmed that feral pigs (wild boar) are invading Allegany State Park. Park Manager Brad Whitcomb is concerned wild hogs could gain a foothold in the park and damage the local ecosystem the way they have in parts of the South.
“When they go to the wild they actually go through a morphological change. Their hair turns thicker, darker and courser, and their tusks develop. You wouldn’t think that little pink porker could become that razorback type of boar but it does,” said New York DEC Wildlife Manager Mark Kandel
There are similar concerns for central new York. DEC Region 7 Wildlife Director Marie Kautz said “Now we have populations that are self re-producing, very, very prolific and can triple their population in a year.”
From what I’ve read the feral pigs are like black bears – they’ll do everything they can to avoid contact with humans, but if they feel threatened they will attack. And 200 to 300 lbs of angry boar is very dangerous.
The DEC doesn’t want to control their populations in New York, it wants to get rid of them entirely. The current NYS DEC hunting guide contains this prominent notice:
“Feral swine are a harmful, invasive species. DEC is working to eradicate feral swine from NY’s landscape. Hunters with small game hunting privileges may shoot and keep feral swine, at any time, and in any number.”
This presents an opportunity for people who use the FLT to participate in helping to improve the state land on which the FLT is located.
Those of us with hunting licenses can make that contribution by hunting for these invasive pigs. But remember, although you can shoot them 24/7, 365 days a year without limits in most state forest, Allegany State Park has some special hunting restrictions.
In ASP hunting of the pigs is restricted by the limited hunting season generally applicable to the Park, which runs from October through February. No hunting allowed on Sundays. No hunting at night.
The meat of these feral swine is reportedly leaner and healthier than that of the commercial chemical laden pork sold in stores. But NYS law doesn’t even require that they be removed. They just want them eradicated before they get established beyond eradication.
Here’s a link to a story in the Syracuse Outdoors Blog about two of the hogs taken last November.
Alex Gonzalez added: “I saw a boar attack once on Marty Stouffer’s WILD AMERICA on PBS. I’m glad I did, because I saw just how easy it is to escape such an attack. Stouffer just climbed about three or four feet up a pretty skinny tree and hung there till the pig left: since they’re built for rooting around at ground level, they apparently can’t raise their heads very far up. So scamper up a little tree and you’ll be all right. Just hang on and wait for it to leave.”
And, Gerry Rising added: “While I find these responses amusing, I think that they both send the wrong message. Wild boars grow to be 350 pound monsters with sharp tusks and they can be dangerous animals. Consider the following from the web:
“Attacks on humans by wild boar (Sus scrofa) are occasionally reported in rural areas of Turkey. While fatalities are rare, individuals may
sustain significant soft tissue trauma. Lower extremity lacerations of up to 10 cm in length and 4 cm deep were seen in the 3 cases reviewed. Injuries to the upper abdomen and chest occurred in one case. Attacks frequently occur in forested areas covered by dense brushwood, and their incidence is increased during the rutting season. In contrast to other large, feral animal attacks, injuries sustained from wild boar typically are limited to the lower extremities. This case series examines 3 attacks by wild boar in rural Turkey.”
They also do still more damage to the wildflower community. We have serious problems with deer already and don’t need another mammalian biocide in our forests.”
Footprint Press outdoor recreation guidebooks – where to have fun outdoors in NY State
I am about to move to new york state outside of ithica. I have been hunting wild hogs with dogs in south georgia for several years now. I am wondering if hunting these hogs in new york with dogs catching and removing them would be allowed.
Chris, I can’t answer your question except to say using dogs to hunt pigs sound brutal and gruesome. You need to check the NYS DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) web site to learn the hunting regulations for NY State. Sue
Don’t know if you have gotten an answer on using them but, I would if you can. I know they are very useful with coyote hunters all over upstate. As well as profesional hog trappers. Prbly the best way to ensure we keep this expansion limited.
Recomend some sorta protection round the hounds upper body. Works well when they get close.
sounds like the wild version is leaner than domestic, in which case, best served with gravy.
my wife and I seen 6 wild pigs in the fall of 2008 in the town of Westfield new york. They also seen us but didnt run.they were under a apple tree eating I took a picture with my phone but it was to far away
Chris Chaney…
I know several people that use hounds to run coyotes fox and coon so I would imagine that running the hogs wouldnt be an issue since there isnt any regulations restricting the hunting of these invasive animals other than the need of a ny hunting liscence. You may also need a houndsmen permit Im not sure of that. And for the people that think it sounds to cruel and brutal to hunt pigs this way maybe they will get out and chase the pigs to us instead so the dogs dont bite them. lol
I am looking for any information that may help me find some wild pigs in the homer scott area. I saw some last summer in a corn stubble field. I want to go down there with the bow and hopefully add some pork to the freezer and would be willing to share any meat with farmers that may be able to help me in my hunt.
Im looking to hunt wild pigs in NY please contact me if you have pigs to hunt. the meat will go to needy familys and some to myself and you if you would like to have some to eat. You can contact me at 518-231-2941 or at edvid@midtel.net
According to the NY State DEC hunting rules & regs 2009-2010. Wild hogs are considered a nuisance & should be shot on sight. There is no season or limits. Open season 365 days. Just report it to the DEC so they can investigate or keep track of the pigs locations.
I have been trapping hogs in Florida and s.c. For the last four winters. I was told of the hog problem in central ny while I was in s.c. So I brought home a corral type hog trap. I would be happy to help any farmer or landowner with their hog problem free of charge. also butcher and share meat. John Foley 315 420 9588. Or dukester081140@yahoo.com thank you
has anyone seen these feral pigs around the town of almond in allegheny county? are there any particular clues to tell if they are around (like a buck rub or scrape for whitetails?) thanks!
Last fall (2010) I spotted a wild boar in the median on the 219 between SPRINGVILLE and North Boston ny ……people thought I was nuts when I told my story ….later into the witer my wife spotted a dead. “Pig” on the side of the road.on Boston/Colden road in the town of Boston …..it appears they have indeed arrived ….in Western NY .an aggressive eradication program should be implemented immediately……
copied from http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27801.html
Use of Hunting Dogs
Dogs may be used to hunt small game, except:
You may not use dogs to hunt wild turkey in the spring.
In the Northern Zone, if you are hunting with a dog, or accompanied by a dog, you may not possess a rifle larger than .22 caliber rim-fire or possess a shotgun loaded with slug, ball or buckshot unless you are coyote hunting with a dog.
Training – You may train dogs on raccoon, fox, coyote, and bobcat from July 1 through April 15. You may train dogs on other small game only from August 15 through April 15.
You may train dogs at any time on lands you own, lease, or have written permission to use, if you are not training on wildgame. You may only use blank ammunition when training dogs, except during an open season.
Control – Hunting dogs should remain under control of the hunter or trainer, especially on lands inhabited by deer. Do not shoot at dogs; report stray dogs to a local Environmental Conservation Officer or your local animal control officer.
Also,, for people that might not know hog hunting with dogs have protective gear on the dogs. As for being “brutal and gruesome” far from it the dogs sniff out the hogs when the dog alert the hunter by barking… the hunter is never too far from his dogs and so as soon as the dogs have one cornered they hog tie its feet and remove it. The dogs don’t rip the hog apart if anything a hog could do that to the dog.
There are also wild hogs in Canton N.Y
how many did you see in canton, ny?
I havent seen any but my friends aunt lives out there and they get alot. Im going out there with my dad towards the end of march or in April
Lois,
I was driving at night on 458 from St. Regis Falls to McCollums a couple years ago and one trotted across the road. I had come to an almost completel stop to avoid hittng it. I could see the dark, coarse hair. It could be confused with a bear based on its fur, however, you cannot mistake the gait of the wild boar. No sightings had been reported at that time and I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. The boar’s back stood just above the hood of the car.
Anybody hear of any swine in any of the lower counties like Ulster, Dutchess, or further west?
louis this is dana dubois looking for some info about the feral pigs ur family gets alot of is it in new york and if we can go there and hunt them email me at tigger6520042000@.yahoo.com…. or if anybody has info on them or seen them in towns and places were they can be hunted let me know please and thank you